The Houston Astros’ pitching depth suffered a significant blow on Tuesday afternoon when the club announced that ace Justin Verlander had been placed on the 15-day injured list (IL) due to neck discomfort. This setback comes after the Astros scratched Verlander against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday. Astros manager Joe Espada revealed on SportsTalk 790’s The Matt Thomas Show that the three-time Cy Young winner has progressed slower than anticipated. Initially, Houston had hoped Verlander could return to the mound for Thursday’s game against the Chicago White Sox.
Verlander’s Retroactive Injured List Move
Verlander’s placement on the IL is retroactive to June 16. Consequently, the Astros have recalled right-hander Nick Hernandez from Triple-A Sugar Land to fill Verlander’s spot on the active roster. During his Tuesday radio appearance, Espada had hinted at the possibility of an IL stint for Verlander, stating, “If he can’t go [Thursday], we can’t go with being a man short.”
Astros’ Struggles and Implications for Verlander’s Contract
As the Astros entered Tuesday’s series opener in Chicago with a 33-39 record, they found themselves nine games behind the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners. Verlander’s current injury issues have potential implications beyond this season, especially considering his contract situation. Verlander has a $35 million vesting option for 2025 that will activate if he pitches 140 innings this season. To reach this milestone, Verlander must throw 83 innings over the Astros’ final 90 games.
Calculating the Road Ahead
At his current pace of 5.7 innings per start, Verlander would need approximately 15 more outings to reach the 140-inning threshold. It assumes that he has returned from the Injured List on time. With each game being critical, the Astros are closely monitoring Verlander’s recovery to ensure they can maximize his remaining starts this season.
Next Steps for the Astros
The Astros’ immediate focus is Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. As the team navigates this challenging period, they will rely on other pitchers to step up and fill the void left by Verlander’s absence. The team expects the recalled Nick Hernandez to maintain their competitive edge.
The Astros’ hopes for a solid finish for the season hinge significantly on Verlander’s health and performance. As they await his return, the team must adapt and strategize to remain in contention. Fans and analysts will watch closely how the Astros manage this latest challenge.